Introducing ourselves

We decided to join BYC after having raised chickens for the last 3 years. We live in Central Oregon and have been bumbling our way these last 3 years but finally feel like we have some semblance of what we are doing. Miraculously, we have 1 chicken remaining of our original 6: a hardy Rhode Island Red names Heidi who has survived raccoons by refusing to go back to the scene of the crime (the chicken coop) and instead started sleeping in a tree just outside our bedroom window. We have since had our coop fortified so it is a veritable Fort Knox, and haven't lost a chicken since. Our current flock consists of the stalwart Heidi (who is referred to as Nutter when she is molting due to her crazed look), Elizabeth and Victoria, Brahmas; Bernice, a Plymouth Rock; Quizzi and Giselle, a pair of Aracaunas; Nora, an Orpington; Blanca, a Chantecler; 2 very dark brown/black hens named Mavis and Celia; and Stella, another Rhode Island Red. We also have 2 roosters but hope to give them away in the next few days as they scare Bernice and Stella, who flew the coop for 10 days and then suddenly appeared back in the barn. As sad as we were when we launched the search for them, it was fun running through the neighborhood yelling, "STELLA", at the tops of our lungs. Our chickens share a barn with our llamas, so we never see coyotes, just those darned raccoons and for some reason, the llamas give the raccoons free reign. Occasionally a crow will come into the barn and eat an egg, but we try to keep them away. My husband and I are both in the health care profession and work long hours, but really enjoy those chickens and llamas, and will enjoy hearing about the experiences of others. Thank you very much for having this forum. Angelina and Ray